El
Presidio de Santa Barbara
123
East Canon Perdido St
805-966-9719
Open
daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$4 donation is requested
Guided tours can be arranged by
contacting the Trust at 805-965-0093www.sbthp.org

As
far as landmarks go, this is one of the most interesting and significant
in Santa Barbara. It rivals the Mission in complexity and
beauty. It is also the site of an active archeological
dig. Most of the buildings are thoroughly researched reconstructions
using the real foundation of the original Presidio. Only El Cuertal,
the family quarters of the guard assigned to the western gate, and the
Canedo Adobe, which was deeded to a soldier after the Presidio was no
longer active, survive from the original buildings.

Founded
in 1782, the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio was the last of four military
fortresses built by the Spanish along the wilderness frontier. The
original fort was a fully enclosed quadrangle that surrounded an open
parade ground. It was surrounded by an outer defense wall that
boasted two canon bastions. The chapel was the first in Santa
Barbara for the local towns people, as the Mission was used primarily by
the Christianized native population.

A
series of earthquakes over 100 years and then the development of the
downtown area destroyed most of the original
buildings. In 1963 the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
formed with the restoration of the Presidio as its primary
objective. The Trust has donated the park to the state and continues
to manage it. The State Park is
always under some sort of construction.

There
are three major structures. El Presidio is across the street from the Post
Office. The living quarters, which are the newest addition, are on the other side of Santa Barbara St.
El Cuartel is on the other side of Canon Perdido next to the Post Office
and is the oldest surviving Presidio structure. A fourth structure is under
construction next to the main Presidio. Many of the artifacts in the
displays come from the archeological digs you can see surrounding the
park.

Of
particular beauty is the chapel, which has some wonderful details and is
the site of special events throughout the year. The lieutenant's
quarters, which are open to tours and special groups, are meticulously
decorated in reproduction furniture and accessories. One of the
rooms in the living quarters boasts a group of floor tiles retrieved
from an on-site archeological dig.

Directions:
From the 101 take the Garden Street exit. Turn left onto E.
Canon Perdido. Drive about two blocks. El Presidio will be on
your right. Parking is tight in this area but there is public
parking on Canon Perdido just on the other side of State Street (about
three blocks away).